i had a conversation last night about how awkward eye contact can be when you're watching live theater.  i said that playing in front of small audiences makes me nervous, because you're so close to everyone.  last week i did a showcase for some radio people in a really small room.  it was just me, and literally, 3 feet in front of me, 10 listeners.  throughout my set, i kept thinking, just look at the little bit of wall in between everyone's heads.  i made the mistake of accidentally making eye contact with someone, and he immediately looked away.  it's so awkward!  then there are those people you make eye contact with who will start bobbing their head to the music, to show you their support and make it look like they're really into it, and they pretend that they're comfortable keeping eye contact with you, but really you know they're not, and they're really relieved when you finally look somewhere else.  my friend said she tried making a point of making eye contact with her audience members at one of her shows.  she said it made her want to throw up.